London, Oct 29 (ANI): Veteran Argentine football great Diego Maradona has reportedly been offered to coach his national side, but he is expected to iron out a few minor issues before accepting the position.

He said the offer had attracted him a lot.

"The offer has attracted me a lot. As soon as it is confirmed, I will start working, but I can say I am very proud. We have to keep talking. There are some things to resolve. This is just beginning," The Sun quoted him as saying.

Maradona has already started assembling his coaching team, Pedro Troglio, the coach of Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno and Maradona's former international team-mate, claimed that he had been approached by Maradona about joining the new set-up.

He said: "I am extremely happy but I must keep my feet on the ground. The world's best player has called me. It was a huge surprise. Being aware that your name is included as possible coaching staff is amazing but we'll have to wait to see whether Diego is selected."

The Argentine Football Association is also likely to appoint '86 World Cup-winning coach Carlos Bilardo as general director. (ANI)

Kohima, Oct. 24 (ANI): A special football match drew wide attraction here this week, as it was played to bring different Naga factional groups close to each other through a sporting event.

The match was an initiative of the Nagaland Civil Society, which used the game of football to bring the warring factions of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) together.

The match enabled various Naga leaders of different factions to share a common platform for the first time and reconcile their differences.

The banners used by sports lovers during the match carried messages of peace and reconciliation which has eluded Nagas for decades.

Agreeing to the growing demand of the civil society of Nagaland, different factions of National Socialist Council of Nagaland came together to herald a new era which has been missing from the Nagas society for long.

The factional leaders, who have been fighting each other for long, were seen breaking the ice of hostilities by releasing balloons of peace in the air. It looked like the foes had become friends on the field and their goal posts were nothing but peace and reconciliation.

Toshi Wungtung, President Eastern Naga Public Organisation (ENPO), Nagaland, said: "It is definitely a positive step. It is a longing of the people. And, I think this is a challenge for the national worker and the political parties of the Naga underground. It is definitely a positive step."

Rev Zhabu Terhuja, President of the Nagaland Christian Forum, said: "We generally believe that a football match alone can't bring the reconciliation, but certainly it's an event which conveys a message to the people that something is taking place, which has never taken before. We hope that through this some other programs can be initiated. I mean some other programmes can be developed and be taken to the different direction, so that the outcome of other program can be more satisfactory."

People of all age groups, belonging to different Naga tribes came together to witness the football match for a cause. The match was an indication of the changing times and the pressing desire of the people to end the factional killing and violence.

The enthusiasm and support of the people for this match reflected the general mood of the people who want a peaceful harmonious existence.

Akato Chophy, a member of one NSCN faction, said: "I feel great. I have seen smile on the faces of people here. I think that entire community of Nagas wants us to play these kinds of matches and come together. They will definitely be very happy, if we reconcile."

The match was termed as 'historic' by many and it hogged the headlines of local newspapers due to its significance. All felt that it was not important who won or lost the match, but the most important thing was who participated in it.

The Naga society in general eagerly await the day when mindless killings with come to an end and peace and normalcy will be allowed to flourish in this resource rich state. By Vibou Ganguly (ANI)

Sydney, Oct 24 (ANI): Shane Watson, who has performed well with both the bat and the ball in the ongoing Test series in India, despite his side down 0-1, has attributed his performance to saying no to alcohol, even during celebration parties.

"I'm off drinking while playing and training so I'm giving myself every chance I possibly can to be right throughout this big workload especially," Watson said.

"It's been since I injured my hamstring in South Africa during the Tweny20 (last September). So the only time I had a drink was after the IPL to celebrate, just a couple of glasses of champagne. But, after that, once I get back into training and playing, I've got to give myself the best possible chance to get through games," the Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying.

Given the "drinking culture" Australia's cricketers are famous for indulging and perpetuating down the generations, Watson's decision may have caused the odd ripple in the camp, but he has made sure it does not preclude him from involvement in the social side of the team's overseas existence.

"I definitely celebrate. I've made sure it doesn't take away from celebrations. I'm not isolating myself from the group because I've not sat down and just said 'I'm not going to drink'; I want to make sure I'm still involved and be celebrating and have fun which I always do," he said.

The all-rounder added: "It just saves me. I know when I wake up in the morning, a few blokes are feeling a bit dusty and I'm fresh as a daisy, a bit tired but fresh."

Cut off from alcohol, Watson has also not put weight over the past one year. "I haven't touched a weight for 13 months. The only things I've been doing have been my pilates, calf strength, hamstring strength, which is just body weight stuff. I don't really know the inside of a gym now to be fair.

The only time I go in there now is if I'm going for a run or bike session. Swimming is great for my shoulders, and bowling and running are all I need to do. I feel my body shape's changed, I feel a lot lighter when I'm running and that sort of thing. But I feel like I haven't lost my strength, so things have evolved." (ANI)

London, Oct 24 (ANI): Former goalkeeper Peter Shilton has accused coach Fabio Capello of handing out freebie England caps to David Beckham.

Goalkeeping legend Shilton is England's most capped player with 125 appearances.

Midfielder Becks, 33, will equal Bobby Moore in second place if he receives his 108th cap against Germany in Berlin on November 19.

Shilton, although impressed with Beckham's contribution when coming on as a sub in the 5-1 win over Kazakhstan, was stunned when Three Lions boss Capello gave the LA Galaxy star a two-minute run-out in Belarus last week.

Shilton, who made his appearances between 1970 and 1990, said: "I'd be the first to shake David Beckham's hand if he beats my record. But I don't think anybody should be given England caps. I could see the thought process in bringing Beckham on against Kazahkstan because it was obvious they would tire in the last 15 minutes."

"They had done so much running to keep the score where it was. We were hoping to get a few goals, and to bring someone on like David, with lots of space on the pitch, who could put some quality balls in and help us get an extra couple more goals, in a way was justifiable," he added.

"I've been David Beckham's biggest fan but you've got to look at the facts. Is he going to play regularly for a full 90 minutes? You'd have to ask the manager," The Sun quoted Shilton, as saying. (ANI)